Cribbing



Patent ed Sept. 29, 1931 entree STAT-Es PATENT. OFFICE CHARLES GILMAN, or rLniNFIELn, nnw annsnxnssrenon 'ro MASSEY oononn'rn PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO; ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA CRIBIBING Application filed October *1, 1928. Serial No. 309,523.

The present invention relates to cribbing and is particularly concerned with cribbing constructed ,of concrete orother initially plastic material.

The cribbing of the present invention is preferably precast'from concrete or other L stretcherslongitudinally from each other.

This is of the greatest importance adjacent the ends of the cribbing where the end head ers are apt to be forced outward by the filling which is placed between the cribbing walls,

but it is also important at intermediate points where there is any possibility of theheaders being moved laterally out of theirproper position.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision ofa-n improved cribbing in which the stretchers are interlocked with the in any direction.

, Anotherobgect isthe prov sion of a-novel headers in suchmann'er as to prevent movement of the headers relative to the stretchers stretcher and header having complementary formations adapted to prevent lateral or longitudinal movement of either thestretcher or the header when in assembled relation. Another Object is the provision of a novel cribbing assembly consisting of precast units,

one set of which is provided with integral shoulders for engaging between a plurality of opposed shoulders on the other set of units.

to interlock all of said units together against movement in any direction. j Another object is the provision of header. and stretcher units of novel shape compris i-ng headers having enlarged bearing surfaces with a' socket thereina'nd stretchers having integral retaining lugs proj ecting from each bearing surface for engagement in said sockets. y p

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying draw- I ings in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets:

Fig. 1 is a frontlelevational view of a portion of a cribbing constructed according to the present invention; 1

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line. 22 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the interlocking joint between the stretchers and headers;

Fig. 4 is a medial sectional view taken on the line 4t-4.- of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of one of the headers; I

Fig. 6 is a similar view of one of the stretchers; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4; of a modified form of cribbing joint.

. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, 10 indicates one of my stretchers in its entirety and 11 indicates one of the headers. The stretchers-andv headers are both. preferably constructed by molding the same of initially plastic material, such as concrete, and both of these members are provided with the usual reinforcing metal members 12 and 13.

While I have illustrated an embodiment in which the interlocking complementary formations are used atboth ends of the headers and stretchers, I desire itto be understood that my invention includes the use of these complementary formationsat one end only of these members, the other ends of the members being supported by appropriate spacing blocks or members of other form. v

The stretchers 10 comprise elongated memberspreferably of concrete, having a substanti ally rectangular cross section and the width of the upper and lower surfaces and 21 may depend upon the height to which the cribbing is to be built. The. lateral surfaces 23 and 24 of the stretcher body are made flat prises an integral portion of the stretcher 10 projecting at right angles to the upper surface of .the stretcher. The lug 16 is located adjacent the end surface 22 of the stretcher 10 in order that another stretcher may be placed'immediately adjacent the end surface 22 in abutting relation, with its lugs in the samesocket as the lugs 16 and 17.

The lug 16 is preferably of substantially rectangular cross section, having an end surface 25 adapted to abut against the end of adjacent stretcher, the side surfaces 26 and- Q 27 forming shoulders for preventing lateral movement of the stretchers relative to the headers and the inner surface 28 forming, with the outer surface 25, shoulders for preventing longitudinal movement of the stretchers relative to each other or to the headers.

The lugs 1 1 to 17 are of less width than the upper and lower surfaces 20 and 21 of the stretchers in order that bearing surfaces 29 are provided on the ends of the stretchers about the lugs 16. Thelength of the lugs 14 to 17 is preferably slightly less than half of the thickness of a header 11 so that the end surfaces 80 0f the lugs do not quite strike the end surfaces of lugs on stretchers above or below any stretcher. The end surfaces 30 of the lugs 16 thereby provide a reserve bearing surface which may come into play if any of the other bearing surfaces of the stretchers or headers should give Way under excessive pressures. At the same time it simplifies the manufacture of the stretchers to provide such a tolerance between adjacent lugs since it is very difficult to accurately cast two spaced surfaces upon a member so that both surfaces willbear an equal portion of the weight. The provision of such a reserve bearing surface is, however, not essential in every embodim'ent'of my invention and if desired the lugs 14 to 17 may be made just long enough to provide suflicient engagement in the sockets 18 or 19 of the header so that the headers and stretchers will be interlocked against lateral movement in any direction.

[The headers 11 comprise 'elongatedmembers of substantially rectangular cross section having plane lateral surfaces 31 and 32 and plane upper and lower surfaces 33 and 34. The headers 11 are preferably provided at one or both ends with laterally enlarged portions 35 or 36 forming bearing surfaces 37and 38 in which the sockets 19 and 18 are formed. The lateral enlargements 35 and 86 may be formed by making the ends 89 and 40 of greater width and by providing tapering portions and 51 substantially beyond the sockets 19 and 18 respectively. The sockets 19 and 18 do not necessarily extend all the way through the header 11 but they are preferably so formed in order to simplify the construction of the header and these sockets may consist of apertures 18 and 19 of substantially rectangular cross section and of sufiicient size to receive two of the lugs of the type exemplified by lug 16, side by side. As the length of the lugs 16 is less than half the thickness" of the header 11, lugs from another pair of stretchers disposed below the header 11 may also project upward into the same socket.

Thus the socket 18 is of substantially the same width as the lug 16 and the socket 18 is twice as long as the dimension of lug 16 measuredlongitudinally of stretcher 10. The sockets 18 and'19 are located inwardly of the ends 39 and 40 sufficient to form a bearing surface52 of the same width as the bearing surface 29 on each side of the lugs 16. Thus when lugs 16 are disposed in sockets 18 or 19, lateral surfaces 24 of the stretchers 10 are flush with the end surface 39 or 10 of the header as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. lto 4, I have here illustrated the mode of construction of one type of cribbing utilizing the stretchers and headers just described. The cribbing is preferably provided with afoundation 53 having an upper surface 54 adapted to receive headers 11 and support them at a slight angle to the horizontal so that the front surface of the forward cribbing wall 55' may have a slight backward slope. l

A number of headers 11 are first laid upon the'foundation 53'with their rear ends resting upon the soil, the headers being disposed parallel to each other and spaced from each other a distance. equal to the length of a stretcher. A number of stretchers 10 may then be laid transversely uponthe headers with the lugs 16 extending downward into the socketsof the headers below, and havin oppositely disposed lugs extending upwar for engagement with other headers. When stretchers have been laid across both ends of the headers, other headers may be disposed upon these stretchers and the cribbing shown in Fig. 1 may thus be built up by piling stretchers and headers alternately and transversely upon each other to the height desired; The space between the header and stretcher walls is then filled with soil56 or some other filler and the cribbingv is adapted to retain the filler 56 in proper. position, preventing land slidesupon either side of the right of .way.

It will thus be observed that when the headers and stretchers are disposed as shown in Figs. 1 to 4: with the lugs of the stretchers projecting upward and downward into sockets in the headers, these members areinterlocked in such mannerthat lateral movement of any one member relative to any of the others is positively prevented by engagement of the shoulders on the lugs lfiiwith the in.

terior' surfaces of the sockets which form shoulders on the headers- Thus the stretchers are retained against movement longitudinally of themselves. It should also be noted that at the ends of the cribbing structure the transverse headers are held against outward pressure of the filling, by the lug 16 of the end stretche-rs which project upward and downward in the sockets 18 of the headers.

Referring to Fig. 7, I have here shown a modified form of header and stretcher joint in which the sockets 18 are provided with walls 57 which taper inward toward the top and bottom of the socket. This enables me to provide the lugs 16 of tapering cross section so that the lugs are of greater strength for the amount of material employed. The provision of tapered lugs 16 also enables the placing of these members with greater facility as the tapered socket or tapered lug may be located upon the corresponding lug or socket respectively with much greaterease since the points of the lugs 16 will guide the lugs into place. l

The curved surfaces on the stretchers and headers in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 permit some rotative movement between the respective headers and stretchers, these surfaces sliding on each other in the event of the settlement of any part of the cribbing.

lVhile I haveillustrated an embodiment in which the forward cribbing wall extends in a substantially straight line, I desire it to be understood that the headers 11 may be placed radially of a curved wall due to the tolerance between the lugs 16 and the sockets 18 or 19. The stretchers 10 may be disposed at a slight angle to each other to form a substantially curved wall.

It will thus be observed that I have invented a cribbing including novel stretcher and header members in which the headers and stretchers areinterlocked against lateral movement in any direction. My cribbingcon- 1 struction is adapted to prevent the lateral,

movement of stretchers due to outward thrust, as well as longitudinal movement of the stretchers and the 'stretchers also retain the headers against lateral or longitudinal movement.

While I have illustrated 'anddescribed a specific embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and I donot' wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth but desire to avail myself ofall changes within the scope of the appended claims. 7 1

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :1 V

1. In a cribbing, a header comprising an elongated concrete member of substantially rectangular cross section and an enlargement 3. In a cribbing, the combination of a P111.

rality of stretchers'and headers piled alternately andtransversely-upon each other to form cribbing walls, said stretchers comprising elongated members of substantially rectangular cross section having lugs projecting in a vertical direction at each end,,and

said headers having l l ertu'res at their ends, adapted to receive-said lugs. i

In a cribbing, the'combination of a plurality of stretchers and'headers piled alternately and transversely upon each other to formcribbing walls, said stretchers comprising elongated members of substantially rectangular cross section having lugs projecting in a vertical direction at each end, and said headers comprising elongated bodies having a substantially rectangular cross section and enlarged heads on said headers, said heads having apertures for receiving lugs on a plurality of stretchers. I

, Ina cribbing, the combination of .a plurality of headers of substantially rectangular cross-section, with a plurality of stretcher members of substantially rectangular cross section, said headers and stretcher members being piled alternately upon each other in transverse relation to each'other, to form a cribbing, one of said'members b6111 provided with an enlarged head having a substantially flat bearing surface on 1ts top and on its bottom, andhaving a rectangular socket extending through said latter member from I top to bottom, and others of said members being provided with downwardly extending lugs for engaging in the sockets of members below the latter member, and with upwardly extending lugs for engaging in the sockets of members above said other member.

6. In a cribbing, the, combination of a plurality of headers of substantially rectangular cross-section, with a plurality of stretcher members of substantlally rectangularcross-' section, said headers and stretcher membersv being piled alternatey upon each other in transverse relation to each otheryto-form a e 'w cribbing, one of said members bein provided with an enlarged head having a su stantially flat bearing surface on its top and on its bot-' tom, and having-a rectangular socket extending through said latter member from top to bottom, and others of said members being provided with downwardly extendinglugs for engaging in the sockets of members'below the latter member, and with upwardly extending lugs for engaging in the sockets of members above said other member, said socket being of sufficient size to receive the transversely extending lugs upon a plurality of the other members.

7. In a cribbing, a header comprising an elongated concrete vmember of substantially I rectangular cross-section, having an enlargement at the end ofsaid member with enlarged upper and lower bearing surfaces, said enlargement having a vertically extending aperture of rectangular shape in plan for receiving lugs carried by stretchers.

8. In a cribbing, a header comprising an elongated concrete member of substantially rectangular'cl'osssection, having an enlargement at the end of said member with enlarged upper and lower bearing surfaces, sald enlargement having a vertically extending aperture of rectangular shape in plan for receivinglugs carried by. stretchers, said aper-' ture being elongated n a direction transverse to the longest dimenslon ofsaid header and adapted to receive lugs carried by transverse stretchers extending in substantially opposite directions.

' 9. In a cribbing, the combination of a header of substantially rectangular cross-section,

said header having a transversely extending aperture at one end with a plurality of stretchers, two of said stretchers being located below said header and having vertically extending lugs in said aperture and a pair I of said stretchers being located above said stretcher and having vertically extending lugs depending in said aperture.

In witness whereoiQI hereunto subscribe my name this 20th day of Sept, 1928.

v r CHARLES GILMAN. 

